The North's education minister, Martin McGuinness, has launched an anti-racism campaign for schools. Survey data presented at the launch suggested that people in Northern Ireland were twice as likely to be racist as sectarian.

McGuinness said he wanted children to leave school with "the courage to debunk stereotypes". He added: "There is a challenge to create a culture of zero tolerance for any manifestation of racism, from any source, within our schools and youth services. We in the education sector have an active part to play in creating the same culture in the wider community."

He promised intercultural materials for use at primary and second level, and said there would also be guidelines to promote positive behaviour and good race relations.